India and Oman have taken another step towards expanding bilateral defence ties, with Indian military personnel conducting specialised training programmes for members of the Sultan’s Armed Forces (SAF) in Oman.
The training was carried out by two Indian Mobile Training Teams (IMTT) comprising officers from Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (HQ IDS) and personnel from the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force. The initiative focused on operational coordination and joint logistics, aimed at improving interoperability between the armed forces of the two countries.
Sharing details of the engagement on social media platform X, HQ IDS said, “Strengthening India-Oman defence cooperation. Two Indian Mobile Training Teams (IMTT) comprising officers from HQ IDS and the three Services successfully conducted training for personnel of the Sultan’s Armed Forces (SAF), Oman.”
According to the post, nearly 110 personnel from the Royal Army of Oman, Royal Navy of Oman, Royal Air Force of Oman and various agencies under Oman’s Ministry of Defence took part in the programme.
The latest engagement highlights the growing strategic partnership between New Delhi and Muscat, particularly in the defence and maritime security domains. India and Oman maintain close military relations through regular bilateral exercises, staff talks, training exchanges and cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region.
The training initiative is also seen as part of India’s broader outreach to strengthen defence diplomacy with key Gulf partners amid evolving regional security dynamics.
Earlier developments had also underlined ongoing diplomatic and security engagement between India and Oman amid regional tensions in West Asia.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had held a telephonic conversation with Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi on May 18, during which both sides discussed the evolving situation in West Asia along with aspects of bilateral cooperation, ANI reported.
“Good to speak today with FM Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi of Oman. Discussed recent developments in West Asia as well as various aspects of our bilateral cooperation,” Jaishankar had said in a post on X.
In a separate development reported earlier, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal had strongly condemned an attack on an Indian-flagged commercial vessel off the coast of Oman on May 14, describing it as “unacceptable” and stressing the need to safeguard freedom of navigation and civilian maritime operations in regional waters.
The Ministry of External Affairs had confirmed that all Indian crew members aboard the vessel were safe after rescue efforts carried out by Omani authorities.